Archive for
January
2012 - Page 4

For the first three months of the current school year, the San Francisco Unified School District reported a drop in chronic absenteeism in nearly every grade. Chronic absenteeism is down among San Francisco public school students, according to recently compiled school district records.

With a 2014-15 deadline looming for when California schools are expected to begin student testing on the common core standards, the state board of education grappled Thursday with a number of fundamental barriers that still challenge implementation.

Technology trends likely to play a larger role in students' lives in the coming year include a continued shift toward personalized learning environments, improved digital textbooks and the increased use of mobile devices with educational applications, according to a top technology expert.

In a sweeping statement of support for charter schools, the California State Board of Education approved Wednesday three petitions allowing one new school and renewal of two existing ones - even though each application posed significant policy concerns.

The non-partisan Legislative Analyst's Office urged lawmakers Wednesday to plan carefully for what could be $4.8 billion in triggered cuts to K-14 schools next fall if voters reject tax hikes expected to be on the ballot in November.

Although Democratic leaders in the U.S. Senate have backed away from requirements for student test scores to be used in new teacher evaluation systems, Republicans in the House have not given up on the idea.

After taking the weekend to mull over Gov. Jerry Brown's January budget proposal, public school advocates and education finance experts will get their first in-depth briefing today on the 2012-13 plan, but big pieces still need to be negotiated with lawmakers.